In this section you can find details of some of the research studies at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust that are currently recruiting volunteers. Before you consider taking part in a study, please read our section on what taking part in research involves.
We are also putting together a panel of healthy volunteers who are interested in taking part in research.
Research area: Allergy
Study title: Evaluation of the allergenic potential of air structuring protein
Brief description: This is a clinical research study to test the safety of a new food ingredient (to see if the ingredient causes an allergic reaction). The name of this new food ingredient is Air Structuring Protein (ASP), called the study product.
Air Structuring Protein (ASP) is a small protein derived from a fungus which is already widely used to produce enzymes that are added to foods. ASP has the possibility of stabilising the air phase of ice-cream and therefore there is interest in ASP as a potential ice-cream ingredient.
Participant information: If you are confirmed to be mould allergic between 18-60 years of age, normally active or otherwise generally in good health, please contact us. If you have an allergy but unsure of its cause, you may want to get in touch as well.
Location: St Mary’s Hospital
How to take part: Please contact the research team by email at i.volunteer@imperial.ac.uk or telephone 07590 250 487.
Research area: Effect of mycoprotein on appetite
Brief description: We need healthy overweight volunteers, aged 18-65, with a body mass index of 25-32 to take part in a study looking at mycoprotein and its effect on appetite.
The study involves attending seven morning sessions at Hammersmith Hospital over a period of seven-eight weeks. Each session lasts up to five hours and you will be given a breakfast and lunch meal during the study. You will be reimbursed £25 per study morning attended, plus travel expenses.
Participant information: Healthy adults, aged 18 to 65.
Location: Hammersmith hospital
How to take part: If you are interested in taking part in the study, or would like more information, please contact Jeanne Bottin: j.bottin@imperial.ac.uk or Eleanor on 020 8383 3947
Research area: Appetite and weight
Brief description: We are recruiting volunteers for a study using brain scanning to investigate appetite. This study is being performed by the metabolic and molecular imaging group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, and the department of investigative medicine, Imperial College London.
Participant information: Volunteers will have functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans, and receive an injection under the skin of a hormone that alters appetite, to see which parts of the brain are activated. This hormone has been safely administered in many previous studies. You will also have blood samples taken and measurements of your appetite. You will first need to attend for a brief health screening visit. This will be followed by up to four additional morning visits. To take part you must be healthy and aged 18 to 50 years. You will not be able to take part if you:
• Are vegetarian or vegan, or gluten- or lactose-intolerant
• Have a pacemaker, or some types of metal implants and clips
• Are claustrophobic
• Are pregnant or breast-feeding
You will be paid expenses including travel costs.
Location: Hammersmith Hospital
How to take part: Please contact Dr Alexander Miras or Dr Tony Goldstone at obesity@imperial.ac.uk, 020 3313 1029 or 07958377674.
Research area: Severe acute alcoholic hepatitis
Participant information: The Trust is leading a national trial to evaluate optimal treatment for severe alcoholic hepatitis. Details can be found on the trial website: www.stopah.com
Brief description: We are seeking male/females over 18 years of age with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis and less than four weeks hospital stay prior to screening.
Location: St Mary’s Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital
Contact: p.ryder@imperial.ac.uk or to request more information, complete and send the contact form on the trial website.
Research area: Respiratory virus infection (common colds)
Study title: The development of a human model of respiratory syncytial virus infection
Brief description: The aim of this study is to understand the immune response (how the body fights infection) to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This virus usually causes a simple 'common cold' illness in healthy adults, but can cause wheezing and lung problems in young infants and the elderly. We want to understand why this is, so that we may be able to develop vaccines and treatments. We will do this by infecting healthy volunteers with the virus and studying their responses. You will be given travel expenses and compensation for your time and inconvenience. This study has been approved by a research ethics committee.
Participant information: Healthy adults aged 18-55
Location: St. Mary’s Hospital
How to take part: Please contact the research team by email at rsv-research@imperial.ac.uk
Research area: Fertility and Early Pregnancy
Brief description: the aim of the study is to predict the likelihood of pregnancy failure before pregnancy. If so, measures can be developed to optimise the lining of the womb and to prevent pregnancy complications. Participants are invited to attend a research clinic before pregnancy. In cases of IVF treatment, participants can attend before the start of IVF treatment cycle. In the clinic, a detailed ultrasound scan of the womb will be carried out and a sample of the lining of the womb will be taken for analysis in the laboratory. These investigations will take approximately 30 min. We also hope to see the participants again in early pregnancy for regular scans to assess the well-being of the pregnancy.
Participant information: We are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:
• Aged between 16 to 45
• Planning to get pregnant soon
• Planned fertility treatment if history of infertility/sub-fertility
Location: Queen Charlotte’s Hospital
How to take part: Please contact the research team on womens.health@imperial.nhs.uk
You can download our one page flyer to find out more information about this trial
Research area: Obesity
Brief description: Wanted: healthy men for a study on a new drug for obesity. You will be compensated for your time and expenses
Location: Hammersmith Hospital
Contact: food@imperial.ac.uk or telephone 020 3313 8082
Research area: Cow's milk allergy
Study title: Trial of a new infant formula for children with cow’s milk allergy
Brief description: Does your child have cow’s milk allergy? We are looking for children under the age of two years with definite or possible cow’s milk allergy, to take part in a research study with the allergy specialist team at St Mary's Hospital
Location: St Mary's Hospital
Contact: If you want to know more about this study please contact Bridget Catterall or Eliana Leitao on 07590 250572 or by email at b.catterall@imperial.ac.uk
Research area: Affect of fish oils on appetite
Brief description: Healthy volunteers needed for fish oil research study. The MRC Clinical Sciences Centre and department of investigative medicine at Hammersmith Hospital, London are studying if fish oil helps people to lose weight.
Participant information: We are looking for healthy volunteers to take part in a study investigating the effect of fish oils on appetite in the brain and body weight. This will require you to attend Hammersmith Hospital on eight separate mornings over a 24-week period. Visits will involve you having brain and whole body fat scans, having blood samples taken, completing a variety of questionnaires and following a diet prescribed by a dietitian. We are looking for people who are:
• Male or female
• Aged 18-50 years
• Healthy
You will be given travel expenses and compensation for your time and inconvenience.
How to take part: Contact Claire Pettitt on 07812 396262 or fishoil@imperial.ac.uk
Research area: Appetite
Brief description: The department of metabolic medicine is conducting a study on healthy volunteers, aged 18 years and above. We are investigating the breakdown of a naturally occurring human hormone that reduces appetite.
Participant information: The study consists of a medical check-up followed by injections of different doses of modified hormone on different days. The study will consist of a maximum number of nine sessions and involves giving blood samples. You will be paid expenses for your participation.
Location: Hammersmith Hospital
How to take part: If you are interested please contact Dr Tricia Tan and Dr Ben Field at food@imperial.ac.uk.
Research area: Appetite and ageing
Brief description: Healthy volunteers needed - department of investigative medicine, Imperial College London. We are studying how appetite changes with ageing.
Participant information: We need healthy volunteers aged 20 years or over, but especially older adults (aged over 75 years). If you take part you will be asked to attend two study sessions (lasting about four hours) one week apart, and have blood samples taken. You will be asked to come without having eaten overnight, but we will provide food during the test. We will give you travel expenses and compensation for your time and inconvenience.
Location: Hammersmith Hospital
How to take part: If you are interested please contact Charlotte Moss at charlotte.moss08@ic.ac.uk or on 07588 851564.
Research area: Appetite
Brief description: We are investigating the breakdown of a naturally occurring human hormone that reduces appetite.
Participant information: The department of investigative medicine is conducting a study on healthy volunteers, aged 18 years and above. The study consists of a medical check-up followed by injections of different doses of modified hormone on different days. The study will consist of a maximum number of nine sessions and involves giving blood samples. You will be paid expenses for your participation.
Location: Hammersmith Hospital
How to take part: If you are interested please email Dr Vicky Salem at food@imperial.ac.uk
